2nd Saturdays December 8th: Christmas Comes To Downtown Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 2nd Saturdays for December 8th will be full of festivities and tons of fun for everyone. There will be Santa Claus, a Holiday Window Decorating Contest and more. Join the 7 Pipers and the Tucson Circus Arts Stilt Walkers as they escort Santa from the Fire Truck Adventure Zone kids' area north on Scott Avenue to the MEB Property Management building at 120 E. Congress Street where Santa will be enthroned from 6-9 p.m. Bring the kids and your cameras so that you get the best picture of your little ones telling Santa what's in their hearts for the Holidays.

The Fire Truck Adventure Zone kids' area has three fire themed inflatables as well as a fully functioning fire truck with active duty fire fighters in uniforms for the kids' excitement. Kids can explore the fire truck and get their pictures taken to mark the experience. Also in the kids' area, the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" will be shown starting at 6 p.m. The inflatables, the fire truck with photographs for children and the movie are free.

Adding to the holiday spirit downtown, over 50 stores will decorate their windows in the 3rd Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest. Winners of the Grand Prize, 2nd Place, Best Use of Humor and Most Creative will be announced at the Scott Ave. Stage.

This month's footprint will remain the same as it has in recent months. Congress has one lane open to automobiles from 6th to Scott with sidewalk pedestrian and bicycle access, easy to get to your favorite retail shop, favorite restaurant or hangout for cocktails. For the event, Scott Avenue will be closed from Congress to Jackson Street, just south of Broadway. The KIIM/KHIT Scott Avenue stage will be on the north end of Scott at Congress Street. Scott Avenue and Jackson Street will be lined with vendors, food trucks, street performers and street soccer.

KIIM/KHIT Scott Avenue Stage @ Broadway Blvd. FREE

6pm-6:45pm:

Arizona Opera's "Gift of Music" – Join Arizona Opera as they spread holiday cheer and thank the community for its support of their programming. The Tucson OperaTunity Troupe will perform selections of holiday music, both new and old, to lighten the spirits of all who listen.

7pm-8:15pm:

Hey, Bucko!honors the sounds that capture our phenomenal landscape and local histories. The tunes have been described by fans as "Spaghetti Western meets World Music."

The FC Tucson Street Soccer Showdown, located on Jackson Street, is soccer in its purest form: absent of age restrictions, uniform restrictions or even skill restrictions. It's just 10 players in a 5v5 matchup playing soccer because they love it; on the street, spontaneously. The result takes a backseat to the process and the buildup and the fun everyone has just kicking the ball around cleverly, trying to avoid each other. Don't let another 2nd Saturday go by without hitting the street with just the clothes you're wearing, your friends and a desire to play soccer. It's free to play. For more information email jsanchez@fctucson.com

During construction, all the parking garages will be open and accessible from detours. Automobile traffic coming from the east will be detoured to Toole Avenue westbound, with 6th Avenue now two-way and providing access to the Pennington Street Garage. From the south, enter Downtown by going northbound on either 6th Avenue or Stone Avenue. Traffic coming from the north can also enter Downtown on Stone Avenue and on 6th Avenue southbound from 6th Street. The easiest parking remains at: (1) Centro Garage, located just as you enter Downtown from the east; (2) The Depot Plaza Garage, located underground, with entrance and exit ramps on 5th Avenue opposite Hotel Congress; (3) the Pennington Street Garage, accessed via Pennington Street from either Stone Avenue or 6th Avenue.; and (4) La Placita garage on Jackson Street, which is very convenient to the Fire Truck Adventure Zone Kids' Area.